American German Club Names Lindsay Bierman Miss Oktoberfest 2014

It's official: There's a new Miss Oktoberfest 2014, and the best part is her last name. The American German Club of the Palm Beaches has named Palm Beach County native (and appropriately monickered) Lindsay Bierman as the club's second Miss Oktoberfest and good will ambassador.

Bierman nabbed the traditional German dirndl, crown, and sash during the club's pageant and reception gala on August 16, where she competed against 10 other contestants.

Born and raised in West Palm Beach, Bierman said she decided to participate in the pageant for Miss Oktoberfest after some urging from her parents.

"I am German, and my family wanted me to start celebrating my culture, and learning more about it," said Bierman, who teaches English at John I. Leonard high school in West Palm Beach. "After college, I stepped away from it. So when I found out about the pageant, I decided it was the perfect way to get back into it."

As part of the application process, Bierman wrote a one-page essay explaining what she intended to do for the club if she was crowned as the new Miss Oktoberfest.

"[The judges] were interested in hearing what the contestants thought we could bring to the German club if we were chosen," said Bierman. "I told them the one thing I could do for the club would be to help them gain more participation from teenagers and young adults. Because I am an educator, I feel like I have a connection with that age group, and [as Miss Oktoberfest] I plan of brining more extra curricular activities to the club that would help that age group grow."

As this year's official spokesperson and good will ambassador for the German club, Bierman said she would also like to propose making an official Miss Oktoberfest calendar to raise money for the young adult activities she'd like to implement.

"It would be tasteful, everyone dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing. I'd like to see all the girls from the pageant -- and maybe even some of the club's board members -- participate," said Bierman.

The best part about the whole experience, added Bierman, is how friendly and accepting everyone has been.

"I don't think I've ever met more friendly and kind people than before I went to that club, so I'm so glad that i did it," said Bierman, who will be on-hand to meet and mingle during the club's 41st annual Oktoberfest celebration taking place next month.

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Nicole Danna is a Palm Beach County-based reporter who began covering the South Florida food scene for New Times in 2011. She also loves drinking beer and writing about the area's growing craft beer community.